Night Driving Glasses

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PaulSB

Squire
I'm finding the glare from modern LED headlights increasingly difficult to deal with at night. They literally stop me seeing my side of the road.

I'm considering buying some night driving glasses. I have read these can create other issues and hazards.

Anyone got any experience with this and recommendations for glasses they've used?
 

DRM

Guru
Location
West Yorks
I've tried those yellow tinted things, chocolate teapot sums them up quite nicely, but yes modern LED headlights don't make you see any better because, everyone else's just blind you so you see less than you would with a halogen bulb headlight
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Just double checking you've had your eyesight tested. I know LED's are an issue, but this very issue affected SIL. Couldn't see well at night when driving, finally went to the optician. Ah you have cataracts. They were bad enough they were operated on within a month ( a few weeks apart for each eye). Unfortunately, the operations weren't that successful and she has sight issues which are still being investigated a year on.
 

sungod

Senior Member
tinted glasses simply reduce light transmission

they may provide a slight reduction in glare from badly designed led headlights, but any tint will also impair your night vision, especially in poorer conditions, where risk is highest

the problem is due to many 'white' leds having a really strong spectral peak around c. 465nm (it'll vary with the device materials/construction), ideally you'd want glasses highly optimised to filter that peak with minimal attenuation elsewhere, which'd be pricey, otherwise an amber/orange tint would be effective, a yellow tint would be less effective but it'd also be a compromise between glare reduction/night vision

as @fossyant says, it might be worth getting a test just in case the glare is being made worse by an eye condition
 

Beebo

Firm and Fruity
Location
Hexleybeef
as @fossyant says, it might be worth getting a test just in case the glare is being made worse by an eye condition

I have an astigmatism which makes nighttime glare a real problem. Twice as bad if it’s raining. Even with my glasses.
The glasses work fine in the day time.
Keep your windscreen as clean as possible and make sure your wipers are working.
 

SpokeyDokey

69, & my GP says I will officially be old at 70!
Moderator
The DfT tested these yellow glasses and found them ineffective.

Clear anti-glare glasses are better.

Re: led lights. They are problematic for older folk if they glance at them as their iris closes about 8 times slower than a younger person.

I honestly have no problem with them most of the time as I simply concentrate on the road ahead and effectively avoid looking at them.
 
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